Automobile manufacturers will have to slash their average fleet emissions or face hefty fines, according to new legislation presented by the Commission, which has already come under fire from Germany, manufacturers and green groups.
With cars accounting for around 20% of total European carbon-dioxide emissions, the Commission, last February, proposed introducing new binding legislation (EurActiv 7/02/2007) that would compel vehicle manufacturers to cut average emissions from new cars from current levels of around 160 grammes of CO2 per kilometre to 130g/km by 2012, through vehicle-technology improvements.
The new legislation would replace a 1998 voluntary agreementexternal signed with the EU's Automobile Manufacturers Association (ACEA), which committed carmakers to achieving a target – now extremely likely to be missed – of 140g/km by 2008.
The February Communication also required other players, including tyre-makers, fuel suppliers, repairers, drivers and public authorities, to contribute, in parallel, to a further 10g/km reduction.
See full Press Release.
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